The 11 commandments of publishing

Purpose: Publishing in scholarly journals is a practical necessity for academics. Put simply, this reality can be described as “publish or perish”. To be treated as a serious contender for tenure and promotion, scholarly research and activities directed towards publication are necessary aspects of faculty life. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into “dealing” with the editorial review process of publishing from the perspective of a relatively new author.

Design/methodology/approach: Using the lens of Q and R theory, a case study approach combined with critical reflection provides a documented tour to enable other authors to enhance their understanding of the publication process through including references to associated reviews and correspondence with a journal editor. The review extracts from the editor and authors’ responses are discussed within the context of a theoretical schema and timeline.

Findings: Drawing from the theoretical schema, the paper identifies 11 lessons learned along the way to publishing, and these are summarised as the 11 commandments of publishing. Research limitations/implications – Utilisation of the Q and R theory can assist researchers as they reflect on how to maximise their publication outcomes.

Practical implications: The 11 commandments provide a practical approach for those wanting to improve their understanding and likelihood of publishing success.

Originality/value: The originality of this paper is that it considers the publication process from a novice author who subsequently draws on the knowledge of more experienced co-authors. The findings are based on a theoretical schema that is transferable and able to be adopted by others to guide publication outcomes.